Experts Critique France's Climate Policies for Ineffective Forest Management

Recent analyses by experts from the Conseil d’analyse économique have voiced strong criticism of France's public climate policies, particularly regarding forest management. According to their assessment published on December 10, 2025, the policies intended to leverage forests for carbon sequestration are poorly designed and inadequately implemented, undermining France’s ability to combat climate change effectively. These experts argue that current incentives and strategies do not sufficiently support forest resilience or optimize carbon capture potential, highlighting a significant gap in the country’s environmental policy framework.

This critique emerges amid ongoing efforts to enhance France’s ecological initiatives, where forest ecosystems are crucial carbon sinks. The experts emphasize that without robust policies tailored to bolster forest health and adaptability to climate challenges, France risks falling short of its climate goals. This calls for a comprehensive reassessment of how public policy integrates forestry as a key lever in the climate action arsenal.

The report underscores the need for more effective governance and targeted incentives that can simultaneously promote forest biodiversity, economic viability, and carbon sequestration capacity. Although France has advanced various climate strategies, this expert opinion sheds light on specific failings in forest-related initiatives that require urgent attention to ensure the country’s overall environmental ambitions are met.